Combination major appliance and pet watering system

ABSTRACT

A major appliance or cabinet unit integrates an automatically refillable water bowl including a liquid level sensor and an electrical or mechanical valve in fluid communication with a source or water. In the preferred embodiment the appliance is a refrigerator freezer with plumbing to an ice maker or other accessory to which the bowl can interconnect, though the invention is equally applicable to other appliances such as non-combined refrigerators and freezers, stoves, ranges, dishwashers, trash compactors, and cabinet units. Various optional accessories are disclosed, including a fan for drying water spilled from the bowl. The fan may be used for another purpose in the appliance, as in a condensing unit, or may be provided separately. A sensor may be included to disable the fan in the presence of a pet. The appliance preferably includes a cavity into which the bowl is situated, along with an optional light for illuminating the cavity. The invention may be factory installed or provided as an option or after-market add-on. As such, the appliance may include a knock-out panel exposing a cavity into which the bowl is situated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This relates generally to pet feeding and, in particular, to acombination appliance or cabinet unit and pet watering system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pet owners know that is sometimes it is difficult to keep a water bowlfilled, particularly on hot, dry day. For this reason, severalauto-filled bowls have been devised. U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,371, forexample, describes a watering device particularly adapted for use byanimals. A valve is provided for maintaining the liquid level within thereservoir and the entire device is so designed that it cannot beaccidentally upset by the animal. Outwardly extending from a threadedportion of valve housing is a slightly tapered shank portion, sized soas to form a snug fit when inserted into the interior of a common gardenhose.

The animal drinking water supply apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,452,683 includes a cylindrical container in the form of a culvert witha flexible bowl inserted into one end of the culvert so that ahorizontal upper edge of the bowl engages over the edge of the culvertwith the bowl sitting inside the culvert. A transverse support member isconnected across the inside of the culvert to support the base of thebowl. The support member comprises a rectangular tube within which isprovided a liquid heat transfer medium and a heating element so that theupper surface of the support member upon which the bowl rests is heatedto avoid freezing of the water. The depth of water is maintained withinlimits by a micro switch detecting the flexing of the bowl in dependenceupon the weight of water.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,202 resides in an improved watering dish for usewith dogs and other animals. The watering dish is self-cleaning, and isprovided with a float-activated valve that automatically replenishes thewater supply in the drinking reservoir as that supply is depleted. Thefloat is constructed so that it will not flip or otherwise becomefouled, even if the watering dish is overturned. The valve isconstructed so that it may be shipped as a separate element, but readilysnaps into position in the watering dish during assembly and isthereafter essentially permanently fixed into place in an orientationconducive to the optimal performance of the device. The watering dish isalso provided with fastening elements that permit it to be affixed toboth vertical and horizontal substrates. The fastening means also allowthe device to be attached to both hard and soft surfaces.

The animal water dispensing apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No.6,119,628 includes a molded plastic base member which has a reservoirsupport portion and a water receiving recess connected to receive waterfrom a reservoir with a stainless steel liner for the recess beingformed with small apertures to allow water to flow into the liner.

A pet food dispenser described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,473 comprises abase, a bowl mounted on the base for retaining a quantity of a substanceto be dispensed, a reservoir mounted adjacent one side of the base andoperable to deliver a desired substance into the bowl, and a covermovable into and out of a position to cover the bowl.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,950 discloses a device for watering pets, e.g., adog or cat having the general shape of a toilet. The device comprises abase, a bowl for holding water, and a tank-like structure for holdingdry goods, e.g., dog food, which tank also is equipped with a lid. Acompartment for holding a heating media, e.g., gel, is shown underneaththe bowl in order to heat the bowl. An alternative embodiment disclosesa bowl with a seat with hinges on top of the bowl which seat isselectively placed in the up or down position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,880 includes a bowl for containing drinking waterfor a pet animal, the bowl including a first surface at least partiallydefining a depression for holding the drinking water and a secondsurface exposed to air, the first and second surfaces being separated bya water permeable material so that water may pass through the firstsurface to the second surface, and wherein evaporation of water from thesecond surface acts to cool the drinking water contained within thedepression.

Although certain of the inventions just described provide automatedwatering apparatus, problems arise with connection to the source. Atleast one reference mentions refrigeration, it is to provided chilledwater for livestock. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,890, an animalfeeder is provided for delivering temperature-regulated liquid feed toone or more animal feed sites. A refrigerated or heated reservoir storesthe liquid feed, and one two or three conduits lead from the reservoirto a feed dish which has a bowl portion and a heat exchange portion. Aconduit supplies the bowl through a float valve which maintains theliquid in the bowl at a predetermined level. Conduits also circulateliquid through the heat exchange chamber which serves to cool or heatthe solid and/or liquid feed in the bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention assists pet owners by providing a combination majorappliance and automatically refillable water bowl. The automaticallyrefillable water bowl further includes a liquid level sensor and a valvein fluid communication between the bowl and a source or water. The valvemay be electrical or mechanical. In the preferred embodiment the majorappliance is a refrigerator freezer with plumbing to an ice maker orother accessory to which the bowl can interconnect, though the inventionis equally applicable to other appliances such as non-combinedrefrigerators and freezers, stoves, ranges, dishwashers, trashcompactors, and cabinet units.

Various optional accessories are disclosed, including a fan for dryingwater spilled from the bowl. The water filter provided with therefrigerator/freezer, or a separate filter may optionally be provided.The fan may be used for another purpose in the appliance, as in acondensing unit, or may be provided separately. A sensor may be includedto disable the fan in the presence of a pet. The appliance preferablyincludes a cavity into which the bowl is situated, along with anoptional light for illuminating the cavity. Again, a sensor may beprovided to activate the light in the presence of a pet. The inventionmay be factory installed or provided as an option or after-marketadd-on. As such, the appliance may include a knock-out panel exposing acavity into which the bowl is situated. A dry or wet pet food dispensermay also be provided, on the refrigerator side of the appliance, forexample, preferably with a timer to dispense food at user-dictatedintervals and/or amounts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing depicting the preferred embodiment of the inventionfrom an oblique perspective;

FIG. 2 is a drawing which shows a cross section of a valve arrangementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross section that shows an alternative electricallyoperated valve arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a drawing which shows a drawing fan and other optionalfeatures;

FIG. 5 is a drawing that shows an infrared-activated courtesy light;

FIG. 6 is a drawing which shows how the invention may be implementedthrough knock-out panels; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a combination base cabinet unit and integratedautomatically refillable watering bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates generally at 100 a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein a refrigerator 102 includes an automatically filledwater bowl 112 disposed in a cavity 110. Although not necessary to theinvention, the bowl 112 is provided in conjunction with arefrigerator/freezer combination (106, 104), including an automatic icemaker 108, since with such a configuration, the appliance is already“plumbed” to receive fresh water. However, given the inventivecombination of an automatically refilled water bowl in conjunction witha kitchen appliance, such a system may be provided with a refrigeratoronly, a freezer only, even appliances such as a dishwasher, range,stove, or trash compactor, whether plumbed in advance or not. Inaddition, although the bowl 112 is shown in a cavity 110, a cavity isnot absolutely necessary, in that the bowl may be situated outside ofthe appliance, on the floor, for example. As an option, a dry/wet petfood bowl 122, filled from dispenser 124, may provided in therefrigerator side of the appliance, for example, and controlled by adigital timer 126 or analog control (not shown). Vertical as opposed toside-by-side units may also be accommodated, and FIG. 7 illustrates acombination base cabinet unit and integrated automatically refillablewatering bowl.

FIG. 2 is a drawing which shows automated refill apparatus according tothe preferred embodiment. A bowl, 212, shown in cross section, includesa float 202 which is hingedly affixed through linkages 206 to a valve204, shown in simplified form. With such a configuration, as the waterlevel 210 rises, so, too, does float 202, causing the plunger of valve204 to move downward and seat the valve, thereby closing off the supplyof water through line 208. Again, if the invention is provided inconjunction with a refrigerator/freezer having a plumbed ice maker, line208 would tap into that same plumbing. As an option, a changeable orpermanent water filter 290 may be placed in the water line.

As an alternative to a mechanically-operated refill apparatus, FIG. 3shows an electrically operated configuration in conjunction with a bowl312 having a sensor 302 that detects water level 310, causing anelectrically operated valve 304 to open and close. Sensor 302 may be ofany appropriate design, including an optical sensor, moisture sensor,and the like. One disadvantage of such a design, however, is thatelectrical connections are required, and should the electricalconnections fail, the bowl may be overfilled.

Since it may be assumed that some animals, such as larger dogs, wouldsplash the water from the bowl, a receiving tray 414 may be provided, asshown in FIG. 4. Bowl 412 will be placed thereinto. As an option, a fan416 may be used to dry the tray 414 should any of the water spillthereinto. The fan 416 may be already located in the refrigerator, andmay be used for operating the condensing unit, for example.Alternatively, a separate fan may be provided in conjunction with theinvention. The fan may be on continuously, may operate at intermittentpredetermined intervals, or sensors such as a moisture sensor 418 may beused to turn it on and off. So as not to scare an animal, an infrareddetector or other sensor 420 may be used to turn the fan off, at leasttemporarily, while the pet is drinking from the bowl.

As a further option, FIG. 5 illustrates the use of a courtesy light 530,which, again, may be turned on by an infrared sensor 520, therebylighting the bowl 512 in an otherwise darkened cavity 502. As with theother electrically operated embodiments of the invention, wiring 522would be routed to the power supply forming part of the refrigeratorsystem.

To enhance marketing effectiveness, refrigerators according to theinvention may be provided with one or more knock-out panels, enabling apurchaser to decide at the time of purchase (or manufacture) whether ornot they would like to have a pet watering apparatus as an option. Ifso, through the payment of a surcharge, much like that incurred with anautomatic ice maker, a distribution outlet or the manufacturer itselfmay knock out panels such as 602 or 604 in FIG. 6, and install aseparate unit of the type depicted in FIG. 1. Clearly, since it would beproblematic to move the bowl as the door into which the bowl is inset,resulting in splashing and other problems, according to the inventionthe hinges of the respective door associated with the feeding apparatuswould be located so that the bowl remains physically stable as the doorsopen and close to minimize spillage. At the same time, it is anticipatedthat the hose connection to the bowl is sufficiently long that the bowlmay be manually pulled out from the refrigerator/freezer or otherappliance to wash the bowl from time to time.

1. A pet watering system, comprising: a major appliance; and anautomatically refillable water bowl coupled to the appliance.
 2. The petwatering system of claim 1, wherein the major appliance is arefrigerator, a freezer, or a combination thereof.
 3. The pet wateringsystem of claim 1, wherein: the major appliance includes plumbing toreceive water from a source; and the automatically refillable water bowlreceives water through the plumbing.
 4. The pet watering system of claim1, further including a fan for drying water spilled from the bowl. 5.The pet watering system of claim 1, wherein: the major applianceincludes a fan; and the fan is oriented to dry water spilled from thebowl.
 6. The pet watering system of claim 1, further including: a fanfor drying water spilled from the bowl; and a sensor to disable the fanin the presence of a pet.
 7. The pet watering system of claim 1, whereinthe major appliance includes a cavity into which the bowl is situated.8. The pet watering system of claim 1, wherein: the major applianceincludes a cavity into which the bowl is situated; and a light forilluminating the cavity.
 9. The pet watering system of claim 1, wherein:the major appliance includes a cavity into which the bowl is situated; alight for illuminating the cavity; and a sensor to activate the light inthe presence of a pet.
 10. The pet watering system of claim 1, whereinthe major appliance includes a knock-out panel exposing a cavity intowhich the bowl is situated.
 11. The pet watering system of claim 1,wherein the automatically refillable water bowl further includes: aliquid level sensor; and a valve in fluid communication between the bowland a source or water.
 12. The pet watering system of claim 1, whereinthe automatically refillable water bowl further includes: a float; and avalve responsive to the float in fluid communication between the bowland a source or water.
 13. The pet watering system of claim 1, furtherincluding a tray under the bowl to collect water spilled from the bowl.14. A pet watering system, comprising: a refrigerator/freezer includingplumbing to a source of water; and an automatically refillable waterbowl coupled to the source of water.
 15. The pet watering system ofclaim 14, wherein the refrigerator/freezer further includes a fan fordrying water spilled from the bowl.
 16. The pet watering system of claim14, further including: a fan for drying water spilled from the bowl; anda sensor to disable the fan in the presence of a pet.
 17. The petwatering system of claim 14, wherein the refrigerator/freezer includes acavity into which the bowl is situated.
 18. The pet watering system ofclaim 14, wherein the refrigerator/freezer includes a knock-out panelexposing a cavity into which the bowl is situated.
 19. The pet wateringsystem of claim 14, wherein the automatically refillable water bowlfurther includes: a liquid level sensor; and a valve in fluidcommunication between the bowl and a source or water.
 20. The petwatering system of claim 1, further including a tray under the bowl tocollect water spilled from the bowl.